QCS Inspection Fees and Expenses Schedule
The total amount of an applicant or operator’s inspection is determined by the combination of the inspection fees paid to the inspector, the expense fee paid to the inspector for the costs of travel, and the inspection processing service charge charged by QCS. Details of the inspection fee, the expense fee and the inspection processing fee follow.
Inspection Fee
Inspections for QCS are conducted by independent contractors who have been chosen by QCS based upon their experience, training, and their proximity to the areas of greatest concentration of QCS applicants and operators.
In addition to the time spent at the operator’s facility conducting the inspection, inspectors spend time preparing for the inspection and writing the inspection report. The amount of time typically spent by an inspector varies greatly and depends upon the level of organization of the operator being inspected, the complexity of the operation, and the adequacy of the recordkeeping system maintained by the operator.
After the initial review of the file, QCS determines the amount to offer the inspector based on the following chart. It should be noted that most operations are rated by QCS as simple or moderate for inspection purposes.
Inspection Fee Schedule
Operation Type |
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Operation |
Complexity |
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Simple |
Moderate |
Complex |
Very Complex |
Grower Only |
$150-200 |
225-275 |
300-375 |
400-500 |
Grower and Handler |
$200-250 |
275-325 |
350-400 |
425-525 |
Grower and Livestock |
$200-250 |
275-325 |
350-400 |
425-525 |
Grower, Handler and Livestock |
$275-325 |
350-400 |
425-525 |
525-600 |
Handler/Processor |
$150-275 |
300-375 |
400-600 |
600-700 |
Livestock Only |
$150-200 |
225-300 |
325-400 |
400-500 |
Grower Group |
$300-400 |
400-500 |
500-650 |
650-800 |
Retail Establishments & Restaurants |
$400-500 |
500-650 |
650-800 |
800-1000 |
Expense Fees
Expense fees are designed to reimburse inspectors for the costs incurred in traveling to conduct the inspection. QCS determines reasonable expense fees based upon the accompanying chart, and offers the inspector that amount as a fee in lieu of expenses.
Once the inspector accepts the inspection offer the amount of the expense fee is set; regardless of whether the inspector’s actual expenses amount to more, or less, the inspector will be paid the agreed upon expense fee in lieu of actual expenses.
Expense Fee In Lieu of Actual Expenses Schedule |
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Factor |
Applies to |
Amount Paid |
Notes |
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Mileage |
All inspections |
.485 per mile |
Based on round trip mileage for entire inspection trip based on Mapquest mileage. When multiple inspections are conducted on trip, entire trip will be used to compute mileage and amount will be divided between all inspections on that trip. |
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Driving Time |
All inspections (after first two hours of driving time.) See notes. |
$10.00 per hour |
Inspectors will be compensated for driving time at $10/hour for inspection trips lasting greater than two hours. There will be no compensation for the first two hours of driving time. Driving time will be computed using the mileage from Mapquest and assuming a driving speed of 50 mph. |
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Lodging |
Only to inspections requiring 400 miles or more of travel. See notes. |
$65.00 (if applicable) |
Applies only if assigned inspection requires round trip travel of 400 miles or more on a single inspection. If additional days are needed due to the number of inspections being conducted on a single trip, the lodging fee will be adjusted to reflect an additional lodging fee for each 2 additional inspections being conducted on that trip. All lodging fees will be divided equally between all inspections taking place on a single trip. |
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Meals |
Only to inspections requiring 400 miles or more of travel. See notes. |
$30.00 flat rate per diem (if applicable) |
Applies only under the same conditions as the lodging fee. |
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Other expenses are generally not charged, but may be charged depending on the situation and at the discretion of QCS. If additional other expenses are required, QCS will notify the applicant. Some examples of when additional expenses are required are when there is significant or international air travel required or when because of local conditions or the complexity of the operation that an extended stay is required of the inspector. Such other expenses shall be determined on a case by case basis. This is a rare occurrence. If you believe your operation falls into this category, please contact the office to obtain details about constructing an exact quote.
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